SUNDAY WALK IN THE PARK. This monthly program on second Sundays is aimed at bringing together the members of the Friends to share in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park’s beautiful trails. Led Nick Shema, this month’s 1.5-hour, 1.5-mile round trip walk will explore the ‘Iliahi (Sandalwood) Trail. We’ll hike through rain forest and past steam vents, with views of Kilauea Caldera, Halema‘uma‘u Crater, and Mauna Loa. Also of interest along the way are birds, earth cracks, and fault scarps. This 1.5-mile loop trail, which includes a 200’ elevation change, is rated easy to moderate. Be prepared for the 4,000’ elevation as well as for variable weather conditions, including sunny, windy, chilly, and/or rainy. Meet at the park’s Kilauea Visitor Center. The walk is free to Friends members (though non-members are welcome to join the non-profit Friends group in order to attend). Park entrance fees apply. To register, contact Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park at (808) 985-7373 or admin@fhvnp.org. For more info, visit www.fhvnp.org.

Friday, October 14, 2011from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

VOLUNTEER FOREST RESTORATION PROJECT. Volunteers are needed to help collect and process mamane seed on the Mauna Loa strip of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. The goal is to increase the mamane (Sophora chrysophylla) forest on Mauna Loa to provide habitat and forage for the native honeycreeper birds. After collecting the seeds, we’ll start processing the seed pods in the field. We will also learn about the park’s native forest restoration program. Volunteers should be at least 12 years old, and be able to hike at least one mile over uneven terrain with some ‘a‘a lava through brush in an area with a moderate slope. Our goal is a crew of 12 people, and pre-registration is required. To register, contact Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park at (808) 985-7373 or forest@fhvnp.org. For more info, visit www.fhvnp.org.

HAWAI‘I VOLCANO INSTITUTE PROGRAMS

Saturday, October 15, 2011from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon

PLANTS OF 'OLA'A FOREST. Join botanist Linda Pratt for a slow-paced 1 mile walk through the dense rain forest of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park 'Ola'a Forest, a parcel of old growth forest just north of Volcano Village. Learn the common native plants and see the results of more than 20 years of protection from feral ungulates and management of invasive non-native plants. This area has the highest diversity of native ferns of any forest in the park. Because we'll be in a sensitive area without developed trails, group size will be limited to 12. We'll see examples of native lobelioids, endemic members of the African violet family, tree nettles, and many of the over 50 native fern species found in 'Ola'a. Cost per person is $35 for members and $50 for non-members. Students (K-12 and college with valid student ID) are half-price. Non-members are welcome to join the non-profit Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park in order to get the member discount. To register, contact Hawai'i Volcanoes Institute at (808) 985-7373 or visit www.fhvnp.org.

Sunday, October 23, 2011from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

NATIVE INSECTS: A FIELD DISCOVERY. According to Bishop Museum scientists, there are more than 5,800 known native insect species in Hawai'i, over 94% of which are endemic to the Hawaiian Islands. Join Hawai'i insect specialist David Foote to look for Kamehameha butterflies, longhorn beetles, fruit flies, and happyface spiders in Kipukapuaulu (Bird Park). Hawai'i's native insect fauna has undergone many examples of spectacular adaptive radiations, and we'll look for examples of these evolutionary processes in some of the more common native insect species. We'll also talk about the functional role of insects in Hawai'i's native ecosystems, the impact of invasive alien insects, and the conservation of native Hawaiian insects. Cost per person is $35 for members and $50 for non-members. Students (K-12 and college with valid student ID) are half-price. Non-members are welcome to join the non-profit Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park in order to get the member discount. To register, contact Hawai'i Volcanoes Institute at (808) 985-7373 or visit www.fhvnp.org.

PARK SPECIAL EVENTS

Saturday, October 8, 2011at 10:00 a.m.

NEW TRAIL OPENS AT KAHUKU. Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park’s Kahuku Unit holds a grand opening for the Palm Trail. Following the opening celebration at 10:00 are the first-ever guided hikes on the new trail. Join John Stallman at 10:15 or Dean Gallagher at 11:00. The Palm Trail is a moderate 2.6 mile loop trail that gains only 375 feet in elevation. The hike travels through scenic pastures and by an ancient cinder cone for one of Kahuku’s best panoramic views. See relics of the ranching era and volcanic features along the 1868 eruption fissure. Kahuku is located in Ka‘u between mile markers 70 and 71 on the mauka side of Highway 11. Bring water, a hat, and sun block, plus be prepared for rain. Free entry, plus free trail snacks (provided by the Friends of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park). For more info, contact Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park at 985-6011.

Saturday, October 29, 2011at 6:00 p.m.

“DIGITAL MOUNTAIN: IT’S MY TRAIL” FILM FESTIVAL. Film makers in grades 7-12 screen films up to 3 minutes in length explaining why park trails are important to them. The gala film festival to premiere these films on the “big screen” will be held in the Kilauea Visitor Center in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. The public is invited to meet the young film makers, view and vote on your favorite film, and enjoy refreshments. Awards are announced at the event. Winners will be selected by a weighted combination of judging by filmmaking professionals and the people’s voting. Prizes include MacBook laptops and Olympus digital cameras. This project was made possible in part by a grant from the National Park Foundation through the generous support of the Coca-Cola Foundation. Additional help, funding, and support comes from the Friends of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, Hawai'i Natural History Association, Friends of the Future, Volcano Video Productions, Mac Made Easy, Boys and Girls Club, KapohoKine Adventures, and Hawaii Forest & Trail. Free (park entrance fees apply). For more info, contact Laura Williams at 985-6304 or laura_williams@nps.gov.